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The Winter Olympics are upon us, but the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics aren’t far behind.
And with the addition of flag football to the mix of games played, NFL players continue to be asked if they’re interested.
Add Seattle Seahawks star Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the NFL’s leading receiver this year, to that list of players who would love to play in the Games’ new sport.
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Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game at Lumen Field on January 25, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Jane Gershovitch/Getty Images)
“I would,” Smith-Njigba responded quickly when asked during a Super Bowl LX press briefing Monday night.
But Smith-Njigba had an interesting answer when asked a follow-up question: “Who is your ideal teammate? Who would you like to play with?”
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Smith-Njigba wasted no time shouting out New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson, his close friend from his days playing for the Ohio State Buckeyes. In fact, if Smith-Njigba could make the entire team comprised of former Buckeyes players, he could.
But after that, he wants someone to come out of retirement.
“I think Tom Brady, his return maybe. That would be great,” he said.
Fox broadcaster Tom Brady is seen before the game between the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on December 14, 2025. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
Brady is sort of coming out of retirement this year, and it’s flag football he’ll play next month in Saudi Arabia at the Fanatics Flag Football Classic on March 21 at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.
He will be joined by some NFL stars, including Saquon Barkley, CeeDee Lamb, Christian McCaffrey and Maxx Crosby.
“Obviously, with the Olympics coming up in 2028, I think it’s the first time that every NFL player has been exposed to it, and I didn’t want to miss out on being a part of it,” he said in September 2025.
“I have always admired the power of flag football and the way it connects fans of all ages, and it’s awesome to be able to showcase the sport on such a global stage while bringing together so many incredibly talented athletes.”
Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks speaks to the media during opening night of Super Bowl LX on February 2, 2026, at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California. (Matthieu Huang/Icon Sportswire)
Rob Gronkowski, Brady’s trusted tight end since his playing days, said Brady also asked him to make the trip to the Middle East.
So, could Brady check off Olympic athlete on his legendary resume? He’ll already be back on the field, so maybe Smith-Njigba has something as he prepares for his game against Brady’s former New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX this Sunday.
